Windows 8 could debut in October

Microsoft reportedly will be putting the finishing touches on Windows 8 over the summer as it gears up for an October debut, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The report suggests that we’ll have a ton of new products which can run the tile-based Windows 8 but what interests us is the speculation that there will be less than five ARM-based Windows 8 tablets at launch. Remember, one of the ways Microsoft is pitching Windows 8 is that it can power a “no compromise device” – you’d be able to use an ARM-based tablet in an iPad-like style and then dock it on your desk, connect a keyboard and mouse to do some hardcore work.

It’s going to be very advantageous to be one of the first companies to release a Windows 8 tablet, so let’s take a look at some of the candidates. Samsung provided Intel-based tablets for developers, so you may assume that it has had early access to the platform. We know that Dell is also making a lot of noise about moving away from Android and toward Windows 8 in the tablet market.

The name that really interests me when it comes to Windows 8 tablets is Nokia, as it’s been widely rumored to be producing one for the fourth quarter of this year. Nokia will be holding its big Nokia World conference at the end of September, so that may be the perfect opportunity to show it off.

If you’re wondering what the big deal is about Windows 8, check out the video below.